In Search of the True Milers
So, one must ask: When is a mile not a mile? In a pure horse racing sense it is a mile run around two turns instead of the more traditional flat mile around one turn.
Keyword: Cigar Mile
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Jockey Club Gold Cup Purse Lowered, Cigar Mile Hiked
The lead up to the Breeders' Cup will feature the Oct. 7 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), which had its purse trimmed by $250,000.
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Connect in Good Order Off Cigar Mile Win
Paul Pompa Jr.'s Connect exited his gutsy Nov. 26 victory in the $500,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack in good shape, trainer Chad Brown reported from his Belmont Park base the morning of Nov. 27.
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Connect Edges Divining Rod in Cigar Mile
Connect added to an already banner year for trainer Chad Brown as he engaged in a thrilling stretch duel with Divining Rod and just got his nose down at the wire to win the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 26.
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Anchor Down Heads Cigar Mile
Trainer Todd Pletcher is banking on Anchor Down proving their collective instincts correct when the 5-year-old ridgling breaks from the rail in a field 10 in the Cigar Mile (gr. I).
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Tonalist Charges to Cigar Mile Victory
Tonalist came flying with a big late run Nov. 28 to win the $670,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack, edging out Red Vine in a photo finish after tracking far back under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
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Tonalist Takes on Private Zone in Cigar Mile
Blinkers will go back on Tonalist, who comes off a fifth in the 1 1/4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), as he takes on defending Cigar Mile winner Private Zone after that rival's second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I).
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Tonalist, Red Vine Please in Cigar Mile Drill
Trainer Christophe Clement was in good spirits Nov. 22 when discussing Tonalist and Red Vine, his dual threat for the $500,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
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Cigar Mile Marks Dirt Debut for Mshawish
The horse who ran fourth in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) will get a chance to run that same distance on dirt in the Nov. 28 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
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Cigar Mile Next for Tonalist
Robert Evans' Tonalist, fifth in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), will likely start next in the Nov. 28 Cigar Mile (gr. I). Also, a deal in 2014 for Lane's End to acquire an interest in the colt has been canceled.
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Private Zone Goes Wire to Wire in Cigar Mile
Private Zone, runner-up to Flat Out in the 2013 edition of the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I), returned Nov. 29 to claim victory going wire to wire in the $753,750 event at Aqueduct Racetrack.
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The Turf Debut of California Chrome
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Hollywood Derby and Cigar Mile.
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Cigar Mile as 'Stallion Maker'
While the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) gets the most buzz from the 'best milers make the best sires' adage, the Cigar Mile (gr. I) coming up on Nov. 29 has also produced its fair share of top stallions.
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Secret Circle, Itsmyluckyday in Cigar Mile
A solid field will line up Nov. 29 for the $500,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack, as grade I winners Secret Circle and Itsmyluckyday face off amongst a cast that includes Private Zone, Vyjack, and Bourbon Courage.
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Cigar Mile Stakes Card Fields Taking Shape
Fields are taking shape for the Nov. 29 Cigar Mile (gr. I) stakes program at Aqueduct Racetrack, featuring four graded events worth a combined $1.7 million.
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El Corredor Sold to Turkish Interests
The 17-year-old son of Mr. Greeley has been purchased by Mr. Tevfik Celikoglu and will stand in Turkey for the 2015 breeding season, it was announced Oct. 14.
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Flat Out to Enter Stud at Spendthrift Farm
Recently retired three-time grade I winner Flat Out will enter stud for 2014 at B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm in Lexington. He will participate in Spendthrift's Share The Upside program and stand for a fee of $10,000.
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Multiple Grade I Winner Flat Out Retired
Three-time grade I winner Flat Out has been retired, owner Art Preston confirmed. Stallion plans are pending.
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After the Wire: Clark Handicap
Evan Hammonds reviews Honor Code, Flat Out, and Will Take Charge vs. Game On Dude. Watch recaps of the Clark Handicap, Cigar Mile, and Remsen Stakes.
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After the Wire: Clark Handicap
Evan Hammonds reviews Honor Code, Flat Out, and Will Take Charge vs. Game On Dude. Watch recaps of the Clark Handicap, Cigar Mile, and Remsen Stakes.
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Old Pro Flat Out Powers Home in Cigar Mile
Preston Stables' hard-knocking Flat Out took the overland route to victory Nov. 30 in the Cigar Mile (gr. I), a race worth $753,000 due to the winner's previous grade I-winning status.
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Groupie Doll at Peak Level for Cigar Mile
Top female sprinter Groupie Doll nearly won the Cigar Mile (gr. I) a year ago. Now she's back with a new slate of rivals to contend with, including grade I winners Goldencents and Verrazano.
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TimeformUS Weekend Plays
TimeformUS Plays for Thanksgiving Weekend, including the Fall Highweight, the Clark, and the Citation.
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Groupie Doll Breezes at Belmont Park
In her final breeze in preparation for the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Groupie Doll completed four furlongs in :48.55 on the Belmont Park training track Nov. 25.
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Groupie Doll Breezes Half Mile for Cigar Mile
Reigning champion female sprinter Groupie Doll breezed a half mile Nov. 16 on the Belmont Park training track as she prepares for her second career start against males in the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 30 at Aqueduct.
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New Owner to Run Groupie Doll in Cigar Mile
Groupie Doll, acquired by Mandy Pope's Whispering Hill Farm Nov. 6 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, will remain in training for the time being with her longtime conditioner, Buff Bradley.
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Goldencents Set to Run Next in Cigar Mile
Goldencents, winner of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I), will make his next start in the $500,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack Nov. 30, according to majority owner Glenn Sorgenstein.
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Graydar to Miss Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Donn Handicap (gr. I) winner Graydar will be forced to miss the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park after a quarter crack in his left front hoof was discovered Monday morning.
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Jockey Dominguez Sidelined for Three Weeks
Top jock Ramon Dominguez will miss the next three weeks of racing after recently bruising his foot at Aqueduct Racetrack, his agent Steve Rushing said.
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After the Wire - 11/26/2012
Evan Hammonds recaps the Thanksgiving holiday weekend races, including the Remsen S., Cigar Mile, Clark H., and Fall Highweight H.
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Stay Thirsty Nips Groupie Doll in Cigar Mile
Notching his first win since the 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I), Repole Stables' Stay Thirsty got the bob on Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) winner Groupie Doll in the $343,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Nov. 24.
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Jersey Town Scratched from Cigar, Retired
Charles Fipke's homebred Jersey Town has been scratched from the Nov. 24 Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct with a fever in what was supposed to have been the horse's final start.
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Post-Thanksgiving handicapping
Greetings from St. Petersburg, Florida, where after one huge meal and two entertaining NFL games, I am ready to tackle the weekend cards.
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Groupie Doll Will Test Males in Cigar Mile
Off a smashing victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Groupie Doll, from the outside post of 7, challenges a salty cast of older runners in the Nov. 24 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct.
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Groupie Doll Works for Cigar Mile
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) winner Groupie Doll breezed a half-mile in :48 1/5 at Churchill Downs Nov. 17 in preparation for a possible start against the boys in the $350,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) Nov. 24.
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Shackleford Works, Still Clark or Cigar Mile
Potential Clark Handicap (gr. I) highweight Shackleford breezed at Churchill Downs Nov. 17; a decision will be made Nov. 19 regarding his final start. Clark contenders Bourbon Courage and Cease were also on the worktab.
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Stay Thirsty to Stand for $17,500 at Ashford
Stay Thirsty, winner of the 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I), will stand for $17,500 in 2013 at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky. The son of Bernardini will contest his final start in the Nov. 24 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct.
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Groupie Doll Could Face Boys in Cigar Mile
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) winner Groupie Doll was scheduled to go to trainer Buff Bradley's farm earlier this week, but will now prep for a possible start in the Nov. 24 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct.
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Shackleford to Make One More Career Start
Shackleford, the 2011 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner, will likely make one more start before retiring to stud at John Phillips' Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, according to trainer Dale Romans.
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To Honor and Serve Gets G1 Win in Cigar Mile
Cutting back in distance in search of his first grade I win, To Honor and Serve put away Calibrachoa in upper stretch and held off Hymn Book late to take the Cigar Mile Handicap Nov. 26 at Aqueduct.
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Haynesfield, To Honor and Serve Meet in Cigar
With four wins at the track and a strong comeback effort in his most recent start, Haynesfield figures prominently in the $250,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I), which headlines Aqueduct's Nov. 26 program.
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To Honor and Serve Pointing Toward Cigar Mile
Bill Mott is pointing To Honor and Serve to the $250,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 26 at Aqueduct.
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Jersey Town Scores 34-1 Cigar Mile Upset
In a star-studded field that included four Breeders' Cup starters, it was the longest shot on the board, Jersey Town, who pulled a 34-1 shocker in the Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile (gr. I) Nov. 27 at Aqueduct.
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Stars Line Up for Chance at Cigar Mile
Four horses coming out of Breeders' Cup races will return for a bang-up edition of the $250,000 Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 27 at Aqueduct.
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Purge to Vinery New York
Vinery, which has recently opened a breeding operation in New York, has added stallion Purge to its Empire State line-up.
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Champion Male Sprinter: Kodiak Kowboy
Son of Posse won the Carter, Vosburgh, and Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile (all gr. I) for Vinery Stables and Fox Hill Farm
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Kodiak Kowboy KO's Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile
Ridden patiently by Shaun Bridgmohan, Kodiak Kowboy swept past Bribon and Vineyard Haven in deep stretch to win the $300,000 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct Nov. 28.
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Short But Strong Field to Contest Cigar Mile
The defection of both Quality Road and Munnings has left the $300,000 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile (gr. I) with a field of just six -- and only five betting interests -- but the Nov. 28 race at Aqueduct still packs plenty of star power.
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Quality Road to Skip Cigar Mile; Off to Fla.
It's wait until next year for Quality Road, who will pass on the Nov. 28 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile (gr. I) and instead will point for a 4-year-old campaign, which could begin in the Hal's Hope (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.
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Quality Road Big A Schooling a Success
Quality Road's starting gate saga looks as if it could have a happy ending after the colt passed his major test at Aqueduct Saturday morning with flying colors.
